10 Best Family Games You Should Play With Your Kids

by Hani Huang on April 05, 2019

With the upward rise in the use of smartphones among both parents and kids, it's not a surprise that family time has been relegated for mobile games and chats, especially in older kids. If this continues, it could affect the family relationship in the long run. Nothing can compare to spending quality time with your kids as a parent, and thankfully, several family games can help you to create some beautiful moments spending time together as a family. After much research and reviews, we have curated the 10 best family games for parents and kids. Note that they do not appear in any particular order.

Scrabble

Age: 8+

Estimated Playing Time: 15+ mins

Number of Players: 2 - 4

I love scrabble! It is a classic game that packs in all the necessary features. It's both educative and entertaining. Most kids find it soothing when they can surprise their parents with the words they don't think it even exists, and they have enough proofs to show that it does. With Scrabble, kids will be more inclined to learn new words compared to other games. This will, in turn, improve their vocabulary and make them look smarter while not sacrificing fun for learning.

Monopoly Junior

Age: 5+

Estimated Playing Time: 10+ mins

Number of Players: 2 - 4

As an adult, a monopoly is a fascinating game for me. The only turn off for me is that it can be a little overwhelming and usually takes long hours, and even days to conclude.

However, with Monopoly Junior, kids from 5 years and above have the opportunity to cruise around the amusement while winning some cash. Their hard-money will be useful to build a house and other properties. This board game may play a crucial role in stimulating children's interest in becoming money smarter

Who am I?

Age: 5+

Estimated Playing Time: 10+ mins

Number of Players: 2 - 4

On average, kids in their tender ages have specific special heroes that they idolize, and wish they could emulate. To some, it could be the name of the cartoon, storybook or movie character that they can easily recognize. To enjoy this game, you are to print these names on an index card after which you shuffle them and allow each player to pick one randomly. Another player will attach the card to the back of the kids that will be answering questions. Other players will ask them a series of questions that will test their knowledge of their favorite characters. They only need to answer a YES or NO to various questions such as:

Do I have a dynasty?

Do I marry a princess?

Am I a prince?

After some minutes of questions and answers, the players would be able to make an educated guess in providing an answer to the ultimate question; Who am I?

Game of Life

Age: 7+

Estimated Playing Time: 5 - 10 mins

Number of Players: 2 - 4

Am I the only one that remembers Game of Throne whenever I want to play Game of Life with my kids? However, beyond the name, there is no resemblance. With Game of Life, you offer your kids the opportunity to decide for themselves in different stages of their lives. They can choose their career, go to college, own an apartment or travel abroad while making their way through the board. To make it easier interesting, they have access to salaries and payday. This game was created to teach kids how to make smart decisions for themselves, and how to spend their money wisely.

Q-Bitz

Age: 5+

Estimated Playing Time: 8 – 12 mins

Number of Players: 2 - 4

With Q-Bitz, it will surprise you how incredibly quick your kid can be. It's a game where players engage in a race against one another to have their cubes arranged as shown precisely in the card. The first to complete it wins! The game will improve your kid decision-making and thinking ability. You can give younger kids an easier pattern or a headstart to stand a chance against the older ones.

5 Second Rule

Age: 5+

Estimated Playing Time: 5 – 10 mins

Number of Players: 2 - 6

What else could be more interesting when your kids beat you over and over in a game that tests your ability to think within 5 seconds? You may feel it's easy, but since I have been playing this game with my kids, I now understand that younger kids stand a better chance than their older siblings and even the parents in this game. Each player has to name 3 objects that belong to the same category before a tiny silver ball touches the bottom of the tube. Imagine having to mention 3 names of cartoon character under 5 seconds!

Group Story

Age: 5+

Estimated Playing Time: 10+ mins

Number of Players: 2 – 5

Forget about movie series; Group Story is the real deal! We all love to read or listen to stories, but when we discover our storytelling abilities, it often gives us joy. Each player starts the story with a sentence, passes it to another, and the cycle continues. It's always surprising to see how the story will pan out. What I particularly enjoy is about this game is its tendency to help you identify a kid with a talent for storytelling.

Thinkfun Roll and Play

Age: 2+

Estimated Playing Time: 5+ mins

Number of Players: 2 – 3

Of all the games appearing in our list, this is the one particularly made with toddlers in mind. Kids can start playing this as early as 18 months old. It works by tossing the big plush cube and identifying the aide that faces up. Each player will choose a matching color card and perform the activity on it. It could be something like, “make a smiling face,” “pick a red item.”

Better with Balloon

Age: 4+ years

Estimated Playing Time: 5 – 10 mins

Number of Players: 2 - 6

This is a game that has a special spot in the heart of the male kids. It accords you the chance to turn your living room into a basketball court, soccer field or even volleyball court. However, instead of a standard ball, you make do with balloons. Who knows maybe you are on your way to discover the next M.J or Maradona?

Blokus

Age: 5+ years

Estimated Playing Time: 15 – 20 mins

Number of Players: 2 - 4

Blokus is easy to learn the game and perfectly fits kids of all ages. Each player has the objective of placing all their pieces while preventing their opponents from achieving that. Kindergarten kids can have a better grasp of it and find it appealing when colorful tiles are used.